The bereaved family of a 20-year-old artist who was killed by her own brother with a hammer has spoken of their pain.
On Thursday, a court was informed that Lucas, Gabriella Delaney’s older brother and a “extensive” drug user, repeatedly beat Gabriella in the head with a hammer. Lucas claimed to only partly recall the event.
In the western Sydney house Ms. Delaney lived with her murderer, who was 30 at the time of her death, her corpse was discovered in June 2020, many days after she had passed away.
On Thursday, Lucas Delaney appeared before the NSW Supreme Court for a sentencing hearing after entering a guilty plea to her murder.
The house Gabriella Delaney and her brother shared contained Gabriella’s corpse.
Crown prosecutor Rossi Kotsis said, “The perpetrator purposely and repeatedly beat the victim in the head with a hammer.”
According to one story, Mr. Delaney began swinging the hammer while believing he was with a person he had met online, only to glance down and realise it was his sister.
Delaney took himself to a mental health hospital before Ms. Delaney’s corpse was discovered, and he is still taking antipsychotic medication.
Delaney’s medical evaluations revealed that he had schizoaffective disorder symptoms that might be aggravated by using substances like ice and cannabis, both of which he used often.
Delaney “obviously is having to come to grips with the truth that he alone caused his sister’s death,” one mental health professional said in a written submission.
They said, “It is reasonable that he is looking for an explanation based on mental disease.”
Family members sobbed as they presented victim impact statements during the court, praising Ms. Delaney as a gifted artist and caring person with much to contribute to the world.
Prior to her death, Gabriella was supposed to move in with younger sister Rebecca Delaney in Perth, according to Rebecca.
“She was the sister everyone wanted to have.” Gabby had artistic talent. Her heart, soul, and passion were everything she cared about and what she remained committed to,’ she added.
I’m very glad I had an older sister who spoke up for me since I grew up in a fractured family and had a strained connection with my mother.
I’m heartbroken that the world will never get to enjoy the blessings Gabby might have given it.
Rebecca Delaney also discussed familial problems, which she referred to as “poison.”
‘With my sister now deceased, I saw my family sever even more ties. I see now that things probably worked out for the best. We should not be together since this family is so poisonous, she said.
Gabriella’s older brother Daniel Delaney, who was close when she was killed, expressed guilt for not discovering her sooner.
There were warning signals, but my sister was living life on her own terms and had her own space, so it wasn’t uncommon for him to go a few days without seeing her.
He also remembered how his younger sister’s corpse was discovered by him and their older brother Jared.
He stated, “I wanted to enter the room and find her, but my brother stopped me.”
I knew my sister had been dead for days when they urged me to check on her through the phone.
Rebecca addressed her older brother directly, saying, “I can only hope you use this chance and utilise the tools given to you to improve yourself. I can only have so much rage and loathing for what you did, but you were once my brother.”
While he waits for sentence, Lucas Delaney continues to be detained.